C-section experience!

Hi ladies, I'm 30 weeks today 💙, in hospital for the past 3-4weeks and all going in line with the doctors expectations!
It will be my first-time having a C-section and I'm actually terrified😥. My OH (other half) will be with me and is really helpful (he is doing all classes) and will be there to help with feeding and all😉 but I'm panicking if I'm not going to be able to do anything for my baby for days!

Also it will be my 4th epidural because I had different op in the last 3 years.

Comments (27)

Hey, Just wanted to say well done you for getting though last 3/4 wks amazing work 🙋🏼

I had a c-section 14 months ago...it was my first so have nothing to compare it too but wanted to say I had the most wonderful experience all went amazingly well I had never been into hospital before for anything so I was really nervous!! We were team yellow so my husband confirmed to me it was a boy and I had skin to skin very soon after birth, all the staff were amazing during the op and after I stayed in hospital that night then felt well enough to come home in the morning. I was sent home with strong painkillers didn't need to take them all as I felt the pain was manageable (totally understand everyone's different) I was up and about walking around the park near us later that day and my recovery went amazingly well. Just wanted to share my own personal experience everyone's different but mine was massively positive 😊 Hope all goes well for you as I'm sure it will 😘Xx

I had a planned section at 39 weeks last time and was absolutely fine. Because it was planned I knew the date a few weeks before and the night before my husband and I went out for a nice meal last time just the two of us. Head led into the hospital in the morning and was all very relaxed. Midwives and other staff came round all morning explaining what would happen. Worst but is getting the epidural or spinal because husband had to wait outside for this. Actual procedure was absolutely fine, don’t remember feeling any pain at all, felt quite sick but anesthetist put anti sickness meds in drip and was fine. Baby was a bit startled when she came out so medical staff had to help her for what seemed like a long time but in reality was probably 5 minutes at the very very most, they then brought her straight over for a cuddle. I found recovery no problem, not as bad as I was expecting at all but I was on ward with people who had had emergency c section which sounded a lot worse. I was in for three nights but a lot of that was to help with feeding as I was determined to breastfeed and they wouldn’t let me out until I fed her something and the breast feeding didn’t work for us straightaway. My biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to buzz for help if you need it and also take all the pain relief offered as you might feel ok but don’t know how you would be without it and I think once you start saying no you can’t then go back to things like the diamorph. I had my baby at 8am and by 8pm midwives were getting me out of bed for a shower when xz I really didn’t want to do but honestly felt 100 times better after it.

I had an emergency cs with my son & will be having a planned one with this baby. I’ve heard from friends that the recovery is so much better from a planned one so try not to worry 😘 It’s amazing how quickly your scar heals & all you have to do is take it easy & make sure you aren’t lifting anything heavier than baby. They encourage you to walk the same day & so long as you stay on top of medication you won’t be in much pain 💞 I hated thing oromorph so stuck to paracetamol & ibuprofen! Google “gentle c section” to read about all the lovely things you can still experience like pp said (skin to skin etc) xxx

I’ve had two emergency c sections and both went really well and no pain and I was up and about really quickly afterwards 😊
Like you, I was terrified before the first one, but it was completely fine!
I’d never had any surgery of any kind before that either so if you’ve had other surgeries I imagine this probably won’t be as bad...!
Just make sure to keep your scar clean and dry afterwards - folding up a fresh piece of kitchen roll each time you go to the loo and putting it over the scar works very well to keep it dry and healing well.

I had an emergency csection 2.5 years ago and having a planned one this time. Same as zizzle I've heard from so many people that the recovery is alot quicker with a planned section. Saying that please ask for help and support, don't be stubborn line me lol!! I was up and walking within a few hours and discharged within 48 hours. The only thing your baby needs is milk and cuddles, so even if you just have to ask your husband to pass you your baby to start with you can supply the rest 💞

Milk does tend to come through a bit later with a section so maybe have formula to hand to combi feed (if you're planning on breast feeding that is) X x

I had a planned cs at 39 weeks with DD (dear daughter) who is 15 months, I was pretty scared but the staff were great, I went to surgery at 11am on a Friday, had some delayed cord clamping and skin to skin while they sewed me up at my request. The midwife got me in room breastfeeding within about 20 minutes of birth and I was up walking after 6 hours and back home by tea time the day after 😁 i did think theynwere a bit tight on the pain meds, i only got paracetamol after the op for 4 weeks but your recovery may be a little different if you've had complications. To be honest the hardest bit for me was getting out of bed for night feeds, it strains the tummy muscles and I thought I had to do it on my own as I bf but I should have got hubby to help while he was off. Best of luck with your bubba, I'm sure you'll amazing x

Learn more

Your growing child

7 week old

Your baby has lost his curled up newborn look and is likely to appear steady and alert when held upright. When on his tummy, he may be able to lift his head and chest for short periods, almost as if he's doing mini-press ups. Read More

2 month old, first week

From now on your baby may gain almost 1kg (around 2lb) a month. Your baby's also getting stronger. She still can't hold her head steady, but you might notice her keeping it up for a few seconds at a time. Read More

2 month old, second week

If your baby's sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up during the night. You’ll probably notice that he stays awake during the day longer too. Read More

2 month old, third week

He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions. Read More

2 month old, fourth week

Reading to your baby, even this early, will pay off. Hearing you read helps your baby develop an ear for the rhythm of language. Varying the pitch of your voice using accents and singing will capture your baby’s interest even more. Read More

You are passing a message to a BabyCentre staff member.
For the fastest help on community guidelines violations, please click 'Report this' on the item you wish the staff to review.
For general help please read our Help section or contact us.